The Relationships Between Personal Identity, Autobiographical Memory and Future Thinking in People With Multiple Sclerosis

The Relationships Between Personal Identity, Autobiographical Memory and Future Thinking in People With Multiple Sclerosis

Personal identity is composed of multiple facets of the self that are constructed and nourished through memories of past experiences (i.e., autobiographical memory) and the imagination of events that may occur in the future (i.e., future thinking) .

While our previous work has shown that people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (pwRRMS) have autobiographical memory and future thought disorders, their impact on personal identity has not yet been explored. Based on a cognitive and clinical neuropsychology approach, this research project aims to better understand the cognitive mechanisms involved in the relationship between identity, autobiographical memory and future thinking in pwRRMS. We will examine the extent to which pwRRMS manage to maintain and reshape their identity through life experiences, with a particular interest in the potential integration of the disease as a facet of their identity. In addition, we will explore the positive and/or negative consequences of disease-related identity changes on emotional well-being and quality of life, as well as their links with the duration and severity of the disease. Overall, this research project will contribute to identify new therapeutic levers that can be used for the development of adapted and personalized care.

For the clinical group:

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of relapsing-remitting MS according to the McDonald's revised diagnostic criteria
• People aged between 18 and 55
• French native speaker
• Access to a computer or tablet, equipped with internet access, a camera and a microphone

Non-inclusion Criteria:

• MS relapse in the month prior to the inclusion
• Treatment with corticosteroids during the month preceding the inclusion
• Form of MS other than the relapsing-remitting form
• Neurological history (other than MS for patients), history or current presence of psychiatric disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia), substance abuse (e.g., alcohol, cannabis; past or present)
• Other diagnosed chronic pathology(ies) (other than MS for patients)
• Severe cognitive impairment
• Persons mentioned in Articles L1121-6 to L1121-8 in the French law (minors, persons deprived of liberty, adults subject to protective measures)

For the control group:

Inclusion Criteria:

• People aged between 18 and 55
• Matched in age, gender and level in education
• French native speaker
• Access to a computer or tablet, equipped with internet access, a camera and a microphone

Non-inclusion Criteria:

• Neurological history (other than MS for patients), history or current presence of psychiatric disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia), substance abuse (e.g., alcohol, cannabis; past or present)
• Other diagnosed chronic pathology(ies) (other than MS for patients)
• Severe cognitive impairment
• Persons mentioned in Articles L1121-6 to L1121-8 in the French law (minors, persons deprived of liberty, adults subject to protective measures)